Family sleeps as toddler dies in hot car
A family nap has ended in tragedy after a Queensland boy, who awoke before his parents, became trapped in a hot car.
Three-year-old Roanan Ace wandered outside and locked himself in a Holden Barina on Tuesday in 35°C heat.
His parents Danny and Christie woke to find their son unconscious before taking him to Maryborough Hospital.
In a heartbreaking coincidence, Roanan was named after another boy who was killed when he ran in front of Mr Ace's motorbike.
That life-changing accident sent Mr Ace down a dark path as he struggled to deal with the death of three-year-old Joshua James Foley.
The birth of Roanan helped mend Mr Ace's relationship with the Foley family.
Pastor Foley has been helping the devastated couple come to terms with the death of their son, but says the pair is 'absolutely shattered'.
"They're going through hell and back," he said.
"He actually came to me once and said he never fully understood what it must be like to lose a son until he had one of his own.
"That's why they're just so gutted. They're just absolutely shattered. It's going to be really difficult for Danny and Christie to come to terms with it.
"He's just going to need a lot of support. It's the most horrific thing a parent can go through."
Mr Foley said Roanan and his son, who died in June 1994, were strikingly similar in personality and appearance.
"He was just absolutely full of life; a big personality with a big smile," he said.
"He was the absolute apple of their eye. They doted on him. He was a beautiful, beautiful boy
"I've reassured them that it's just a tragic accident and there's no rhyme or reason to it."
Police investigations are continuing.
